Field Ecologist- Ecological Monitoring Position – UT, AZ, and WY

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Agency

PG Environmental

Location

Salt Lake City, UT; Golden, CO

Job Category

Temporary/Seasonal Positions

Salary

$17-$20 DOE

Start Date

02/28/2022

Last Date to Apply

02/28/2022

Website

https://www.pgenv.com

Description

PG Environmental is seeking potential candidates to support the United States Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM’s) Terrestrial Assessment, Inventory, & Monitoring (AIM) efforts during the 2022 field season. More information on the BLM’s AIM strategy can be found on the AIM website: http://aim.landscapetoolbox.org/. Crews will consist of three individuals: two crew technicians and one crew lead. Together, they will assess the health of BLM lands across Arizona, Utah, and Wyoming, including National Monument lands, rangeland allotments, or reference areas using AIM methodology. PG’s Ecological Services Team is currently soliciting multiple ecological monitoring field crew member positions (Field Ecologists). Basic responsibilities include; following established field protocols to conduct vegetation identification to species; gathering species cover and composition data; collecting soil stability and soil profile descriptions; plant production; collecting data utilizing ruggedized tablets; and assessing special sage grouse habitat. The crew may also assist with other public land management projects involving wildlife, range, and forestry. The crew member will continuously learn the local flora and build botanical knowledge of common species. As we will be working across three different states, we will have several different start times and locations where the crews can be ‘based’ from, as listed below. We will have several crews starting February 28th out of our Golden, CO office, our Salt Lake City, UT office, and/or remotely. All the Golden based crews will all be starting on Feb 28th and are projected to be working in Arizona in the early spring and then in Wyoming in May. We are also anticipating hiring two remote or Utah based crews to start at this time as well, remote crews will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The remaining crews will be starting on April 4th and are likely to all be based out of the Salt Lake City office; they will be working throughout Utah for the full season. We will have another opportunity for a training on May 2nd for individuals with later start dates, depending on need and any vacancies we may have at that time. PG anticipates most crews finishing up work by the end of August with several crews continuing on through end of September (dependent on assigned work location, performance, and need). There may be other opportunities within PG to continue onto other projects, based on work performance and skill. Start Dates: • Feb 28th, 2022 for crews working in Arizona and Wyoming (Golden, CO) • April 4th, 2022 for Utah crews • May 2nd, 2022 for candidates with later availability. Crew assignments and location will be largely based on start availability, skillset, and regional expertise, as well as current location and/or where applicant requests to relocate. Earlier start dates in more highly desirable areas are filling fast, so please do not hesitate to apply. During periods of field work, camping will be required, typically on a rotating 8 days on (Tues-Tues) and 6 days off schedule throughout the summer, however you must be willing to stay out in the field for up to 10 days at a time depending on plot completion and goals. Overtime is paid at time and a half, even for the crew leads. PG successfully instituted a number of COVID field crew sampling requirements and best practices during its 2020 & 2021 field season and will continue to implement it in 2022. Benefits package: • Base pay for Crew Leads $20/hour; and $17/hour for Technicians + frequent overtime paid at time and a half, even for Crew Leads + up to $40/day per diem ($15 camping per diem for each night camped and $25 Meals and Incidentals or ‘M&IE’ per day for a total of an additional $280- $305 per 8-day hitch, untaxed) • Accrued Sick Leave & medical insurance offered Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, stating what position you prefer (Crew Lead or Technician), and resume with the email title “PG BLM AIM – Your Name” to: [email protected] PG Environmental is an equal opportunity employer, promotes principles of fairness and equality, and complies with applicable EEO and affirmative action regulations. EOE/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disability. PG Environmental is a federal contractor, and as such follows all federal regulations imposed on federal contractors. As a federal contractor, PG Environmental. must comply with “Executive Order 14042, Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocol for Federal Contractors” and all employees who do not qualify for a medical or religious exemption must be fully vaccinated. PG may screen applicants via telephone or video interviews via Microsoft Teams or another type of video platform. However, any candidate extended a job offer will be asked to meet in person with a PG employee before being asked to provide confidential personal information associated with new employment. COVID-19 HIRING – most hiring processes are currently virtual during the pandemic. All interviews, as well as new hire orientations, will take place via phone or video conference using Microsoft Teams. For applicants that require an accommodation: As a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access PG’s online application process as a result of your disability. Please contact Human Resources via e-mail at [email protected] or telephone 703-707-8258 to request accommodation.

Qualifications

Qualified crew member candidates must possess the following skills: • B.S. or working toward a degree in a natural sciences field. • Field experience, including the ability to work in and respond to adverse weather conditions for extended periods of time including extreme heat, monsoonal rains, and hazardous wildlife (i.e. rattlesnakes, scorpions). • Experience and willingness to spend multiple days (up to 10 days at a time) car-camping in remote areas; familiarity or willingness to learn and adhere to best practices for field safety and Leave No Trace principles. • Excellent communication skills, and ability to work both independently and as part of a team. • Positive attitude and attention to detail. • Valid US driver's license and insurable driving record. • Ability to pass background checks (federal, state, education and driving record). • Experience with and knowledge of Microsoft Suite Software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access). • Willingness to spend several hours per day and/or per week riding in, navigating, and driving a 4WD vehicle on paved and unpaved roads, often in remote areas on unimproved roads and driving for extended periods of time (2-3 hours at a time). • Physically capable of standing and walking (up to 6 miles/day on rough, uneven terrain), bending and crouching for long periods of time, and lifting/carrying items that weigh up to 40 pounds, in variable weather conditions, including heat upwards of 100-degrees (F). • Passionate about learning the world of plants, soils, and rangeland ecology. Preferred Qualifications: • College Graduate (Bachelor’s, at minimum) with degree in ecology, botany, soil science, agriculture, range, plant ecology, natural resource management, or a related field. • Current or ability to obtain CPR, First Aid, Wilderness First Aid, and Defensive Driver Training certificates. • At least one year of experience using taxonomic keys to identify plants to species in the field, from photos, and from pressed specimens. • Familiarity with AZ, UT, or WY flora. • Experience or education using taxonomic soil keys or equivalent mechanism to identify ecological sites and using soil series descriptions or equivalent soil datasets. • Experience digging quality soil pits to characterize and document soil horizons and hand texturing various types of soils. • Experience managing field crews. • UTV and trailer towing experience.

Contact Person

[email protected]

Contact eMail

[email protected]

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